He can rap (Duh), he can produce (see: all of his beats), and apparently he can sing (Love Lockdown, & Heartless)

1st: there were the "Flashing Lights" video(s)
2nd: Love Lockdown
3rd: Heartless
* Are you seeing the pattern: Innovation; a constantly evolving sound; refreshing genre jumping.

I preface this song no further:

- Listen

- React

- Love

Kanye West - Heartless

Lion King + Indie Rock = Esau Mwamawaya

I have previously posted on Esau, a new Afro-rock musician. Sounds like a great guy: a year ago he owned a furniture store and was just "a guy." Now he seems to be getting some attention, signed a label, recorded an album, and doing big things.

I like him. Maybe you will too.

the very best :: dinosaur on the ark

Passion Pit: "Does a band that sounds like The Shins, The Postal Service, and Hot Chip sound good to you?"

A New York Times review of Passion Pit can be found here:

Passion Pit Review NYT

Video here:

Sleepyhead

Noah And The Whale

Today was cool, because for the first time in awhile I found a new band that I really like. They're folky, yet poppy, and at the same time simple and fun lovin'. They're called Noah and The Whale. Here's a cool video of them playing a song on the metro transit system in Paris.

MySpace

Coldplay Live

This past weekend, while in The Bay, I went to see Coldplay. For me, Coldplay is a sort of guilty pleasure. They're typical, their in-your-face egos can get a bit too much, but there is no denying their formulaic success in creating catchy-hook driven-poppy melodies. The show was amazing. Chris Martin was, well, melodramatic (dancing crazily, collapsing on the floor, playing a set in the stands, etc. etc. you know the rest). The underlying message is that Coldplay Live is a two hour sing-a-long, an experience, and a treat. Not to mention my company (Coldplay enthusiasts) added to the magic of the show.

- Wes

P.S. "Yellow" and "Lost" stole the show for me.

Shwayze - "Buzzin"

If you like Gym Class Heroes listen to this!

You want to dance but you are sick of T-Pain.

So, you are at a party. A house party. And your friends say "where's the music? let's get this going." What do you do? You most likely grab your iPod, go to the "T" section and put on some "I'm Sprung." Right? Well, now you have another option. Instead of T-Pain, Rick Ross, or FloRida, why don't you open up some MGMT, Hot Chip, or Crystal Castles. Here's a few bands that will turn some heads. Check 'em out.

MGMT - Kids
Crystal Castles - Courtship Dating
Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor

P.S. Yes, Timbaland did steal Courtship Dating from Crystal Castles when he produced Ayo Technology.